Harpoon IPA - Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall

cubedoggy

Maryland

3.4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

First I'll talk about this one in the bottle.

OK, I've been drinking this stuff for years, and even though I've been told it's not so, something changed in this ale about two years ago, right around Christmas time. It got sweeter, leaving an almost syrupy aftereffect that left it less refreshing. I like the dry hoppiness of IPAs, and I really believe this one used to be drier.

That said, when I'm out, this is my draught of choice. No megabrew product can compare. When this IPA started to take a chunk out of Sam Adams' home market, they brought their awful, watery excuse for an IPA to the masses, and it has (in my experience) been rightfully eschewed. Bud and Miller haven't even tried. Harpoon IPA is available almost everywhere on tap in Massachusetts, and it is a good, comforting pint while taking in the lay of the land in a new spot.

I certainly do not dislike this ale, but there are better IPAs out there in the bottle (Shipyard Fuggles, Victory Hop Devil). If you're in a pub that has Harpoon on draught, have one for me!

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2003 20:50:50 | More by cubedoggy

Bunnyhop

Georgia

3.48/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A clear, golden IPA with a clingy, off-white, moderate head. The smell is floral, hoppy, and malty. First I taste malt, then grapefruit, with a bitter citrus finish. The body is thin to firm in my mouth. Overall, a bit on the bitter side for me.

(source: Habersham Discount Beverage; Savannah, GA)

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2003 16:08:23 | More by Bunnyhop

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This IPA is a clear, coppery color with some white foam that leaves good lace in the glass. The aroma is modest, but smells of hops and malt. The dominant flavor, as one might expect in an IPA, is hops (citrus, grapefruit, pine), but subdued hops. The flavor is crisp and clean and hoppy, but just a tad thin. The mouthfeel is good, clean and smooth with medium body. The drinkability is good. This is a good session brew.

Re-reviewed and ratings altered a bit on 6/2/03.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2003 08:32:10 | More by UncleJimbo

kelticblood

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a solid white foaming head with great bubbling carbonation.A slight amount of lace left on the glass.The aroma was of hops with a hint of an earthy smell.The color was a light gold with a touch of a haziness.The taste offered a well balanced hop,bitter,and citric taste and mouthfeel.Very crisp and balanced with just the right amounts of everything.I especially liked this IPA because it didnt leave a gagging bitter finish that lasted for hours.Very smooth and creamy.Easy on the mouth with a high drinkability percentage.

note: not an overpowering hop taste or smell.Very refreshing and light.Great for the summer or really anytime.

Upon another review I found it to be a bit watery.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2003 11:44:48 | More by kelticblood

Jason

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: 12 oz brown long neck with an ink jet printed bottled on date above the label.

Appearance: Vibrant deep golden hue with a fine clarity, densely frothed head sticks just about everywhere.

Smell: Earthy and citric hop in the nose with a mild maltiness in the back, hops are a mix of Cascade and Cluster.

Taste: Soft citric hop throughout, bitterness is just above the malt flavours. Some alcohol is there with a warming factor towards the end. Toasted and biscuity flavours from the grain show a stable base of malt. Hop flavour in its softness lingers for a while.

Mouthfeel: Moderate body, lined crispness with a smooth backing.

Drinkability & Notes: A highly drinkable bottled ale, seems faintly withdrawn over the years but is still a reliable American IPA.

One of my favourites especially when I can get it with a month old or less "bottled on date". Nothing like fresh Harpoon IPA! Oddly I like this brew better in the bottle than on tap.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2003 13:03:54 | More by Jason

doho95fu

California

3.65/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A pretty good brew overall. Copper colored with a clear look, thin off white head and no lacing. Smells hoppy and citrusy with a bit of spice I think. Not a very hoppy IPA, and when I drink this style I really prefer a big hop kick. However, the more balanced flavor of this beer was pleasant. Very drinkable and smooth.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2003 06:38:37 | More by doho95fu

francisweizen

Australia

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very good brew from Harpoon. This pours a nice dark red/copper colour with a little head that is gone very quickly, I have noticed that most harpoon beers don't have too much of a head retention to them...oh well. This smells very hoppy, like an IPA should, and it goes down very crisp on the tongue. This beer has a very balanced flavor, the interplay of the hops and the malts is great! but unlike the ale the hops really stand out on this one! This has a crisp mouthfeel and a high drinkability factor as well. This is a great summer evening brew that will keep you coming back for more....great!

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2002 05:57:45 | More by francisweizen

Gusler

Arizona

3.83/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On the pour the beers appears a deeply tanned gold with a sparkling white head that is impressive in size, frothy in its texture and as it erodes it leaves a nice lace coving. Lightly floral, hints of malt with a citrus crispness and quite a treat for the nose, sweet at the front with a middling top and a biting acidity at the finish with an “English hop spicy bite”, not brutal, just quite pleasant to the palate, also quite dry, and a very drinkable beer in this “Beer” lovers book.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2002 14:32:44 | More by Gusler

Jarod

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer poured into the glass a gold color. The head was foamy white head that left fairly fast but the skim that it left was able to leave some lace. The aroma was of citrus, hops and citrus hops. The taste was not too heavy on the hops but they were present, but they shared it with the citrus. Some malt seemed to be present at the back of the taste but it faded quick. Pretty good for this style. I think it would be a good starter for a beginning IPA drinker

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2002 09:40:06 | More by Jarod

purplehops

Maine

3.98/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A nice balance of hops and malt with a pleasant copper color. Nothing fancy here, just a good clean consistent ale. This is my everyday always on hand ale. Refreshing and thirst quenching and readily available on the East Coast.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2002 03:56:52 | More by purplehops

MaineBeerMan

Maine

4.2/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Crystal clear golden yellow beer with a nice head of pure white foam that leaves a good bit of lace. Aroma is full of hops with floral and grapfruity citrus notes dominating. Flavor was light hop bitterness, with a big dose of citrus hoppiness being right up front. Flavor fades through some sweet malt before a very fast dry finish.OK beer for the style, and at least it isn't one of those all hops all the time super beers.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2002 23:00:36 | More by MaineBeerMan

bewareOFpenguin

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My first IPA, I decided to revisit it. Just the right blend of hops, not too overpowering make this copper colored beverage just right. Easy drinking, it can be a good "game time" beer. Glad I tried it again.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2002 09:33:45 | More by bewareOFpenguin

paceyourself

Connecticut

3.68/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A pleasant suprise from harpoon. A rich copper color with a creamy head. In the middle for taste but a good dry finish. Goes down very easily,a nice ipa to share with crossovers.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2002 16:54:18 | More by paceyourself

Jon

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Harpoon's IPA looks like your standard issue American IPA. It's medium copper in color and possesses a sticky, clinging head that leaves substantial lace throughout the glass. The nose is predominantly hoppy, with a definite floral aspect. It tastes quite hoppy with a decent malt backbone, however for this style, my tastes require more hops and more malt. Mouthfeel is rather prickly and clean. It's easy to have more than a few of these, making this a good choice for a session beer. It's certainly worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2002 16:14:55 | More by Jon

ElGuapo

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

although some ipa's have failed me, this one was pretty good. hoppy, but not to the extreme. i will say that this beer had a very intense flavor and mouthfeel. it had some kick with a nip on your tongue that you could never forget. harpoon seems to do that, and i find it unique. it is a great new experiece to have a harpoon

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2002 22:14:58 | More by ElGuapo

IrishRedRock

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Mmmm I have never gone wrong with an IPA and this is no exception. Beautiful fluffy head that stood well over the top of my glass, copper color. Very nice hop flavor, not that strong but you certainly can't miss it. Sticky lace all the way down. Extremely smooth, and an excellent mouthfeel, smooth and buttery. A great IPA.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2002 20:19:19 | More by IrishRedRock

inebrius

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Quite the easy drinking tap offering. A toasty malt spine holding up a well hopped bitterness, aroma and flavor. One could drink this all night, but the ABV might have something to say about that after a half dozen.

Serving type: on-tap

08-10-2002 13:52:32 | More by inebrius

marc77

California

3.73/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dark golden hue w/ a light ale haze. Pungent dry hopped Cascade hop nose (not unlike fresh Liberty Ale) dominates, but a bit of generic caramel sweetness is there in aroma also. Although hop bitterness dominates, yeast fruitiness & toasty malt are perceptible. Light in body, but crisp and quite drinkable. The hop flavor is expctedly citrus. Finishes clean and bit dry. A bit understated in malt for an AIPA and perhaps one - dimensional, but nonetheless is an enjoyable brew. With a bigger malt backbone this would be excellent. It's reminscent of a thin Anchor Liberty with more hop bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2002 08:18:04 | More by marc77

jdhilt

New Hampshire

2.25/5  rDev -38%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

A good IPA but not my style, serious hops from start to finish. Clear, good head, heavy hop aroma. Medium body and fairly dry. Strong bitter finish.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2002 19:06:59 | More by jdhilt

frank4sail

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Slightly musty hop smell with a hint of citrus. Very light color with a slight amber hue. It has a lasting white head. It is very.. very carbonated. Crisp hop flavor with a nice bitter finish. It is very clean.. almost too clean but is quite drinkable for an IPA due to this fact. The mouth is left very dry after tasting. A very tasty IPA. It is a clean and bitter brew with a dry hop flower finish.. Very sturdy.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2002 18:24:41 | More by frank4sail

Brent

Kentucky

4.33/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

One of the best-balanced IPA's, particularly for an American style. Up front, this is moderately sweet with a little resin in the hops. The hops bittering in the finish is lingering at the back of the tongue. Very drinkable, and one of the few IPA's that I would designate as having session potential.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2002 21:13:18 | More by Brent

BillyBrew

Maine

4.2/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My favorite beer for everyday enjoyment! And especially beautiful and tastey on tap. This is everything that Harpoon IPA is with a deep golden colour with a super-creamy, off-white head with tremendous retention. Big rings and full coverage across the top. Nice dry and balanced, slightly biting medium body with covert, but full, malts and complex and striking hops. Drinks great for any occasion or situation. Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2002 12:23:10 | More by BillyBrew

tigerpaws

South Carolina

3.83/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A very well rounded IPA from one of my fav breweries. But as one earlier post stated after trying others such as Pyramid and Sweetwater for me it had alot to live up to. I would drink this beer again but there are other IPA's much better in my opinion...............CHEERS

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2002 14:55:14 | More by tigerpaws

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.13/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a nice light copper color with a thin white head that has some decent lacing qualities. Nice pungent, oily aroma. The hop explosion hit the palate first. And it is good. I would say this beer is more hoppy than it is bitter. There is a bitter element present, but more of the hoppy tones seem to make their way to my taste sensors. Flowery and herbal at the same time. A bit oily. Slightly pungent. After cutting through all of the wonderful hop nuances, you will find a decent malt presence. Nicely done IPA here.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2002 21:48:44 | More by Bighuge

goindownsouth

South Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

All in all, a decent IPA. After having tried Pyramid and Lost Coast though, the bar may be a bit too high. The color was a nice copper and there was a moderate hoppy aroma intertwined with some fruit and spice tinges. The first sip is slightly disappointing, as one tends to expect more bang for the buck. As you get to the middle of the bottle, and towards the end of it, this IPA tends to grow on you a bit. Not the best, but not terrible, by far.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2002 03:26:47 | More by goindownsouth